Bar end LED lights are nothing new but have largely been limited to tiny static/flashing bulbs inserted into road bike end plugs. By contrast, Torch’s imaginatively christened bar end beamer lights look like something straight out of Blakes7 with their combined white/ red lenses boasting greater surface area for improved visibility. However, the pronounced design is most effective on flat or butterfly type bars unless you’ve a pair of Scott drop-ins on the winter trainer – you won't get any real benefit on drops.

Weighing a respectable 80g per pair and powered by four tiny SR44 watch batteries means only the most anorexic of bikes and obsessive owners will notice. Quoted run times are broadly accurate with ours managing 24hours on constant and 47 flashing. Despite some initial scepticism, to my surprise they’ve slotted securely into most diameters of handlebar end and even a space saver type handlebar extension bracket thanks to clever silicone sleeves. However, while not directly in the firing line of dirt and water, they’re only water resistant so a slither of Vaseline on the contacts is a wise precaution-especially on bikes in hard service.

Toggling between modes is simple-even with gloved hands thanks to sensible rubberised switches and while very bright for a complementary system boasting visibility from up to a third of a mile-impressive but not on a par with the latest generation of blinkers and the flashing mode feels slightly pedestrian.

Summing up, they’re no substitute for good primary and secondary lighting but offer welcome extra security-especially on tag-alongs/trailer bikes that are particularly vulnerable along poorly lit rural roads. However, the otherwise clever concept requires re-designing to work well with traditional drops.

Verdict

Clever idea but relatively short burn times and needs redesigning for traditional drops

road.cc test report

Make and model: Torch Bar End Beamer lights

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

These are intended as super bright, tool free fitting bar end mounted LEDs intended as a tertiary visibility aid and work very well on flat, pursuit bars and indeed bar ends.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

LED bulbs with white and red lenses that sit securely in most end diameters thanks to clever silicone sleeves. powered by 4 watch type batteries they deliver a slightly disappointing 24hrs static but more reasonable 47 in flashing mode.

Rate the product for quality of construction:

7/10

Rate the product for performance:

6/10

Not bad but burn times could be better.

Rate the product for durability:

6/10

Vulnerable to knocks in the event of a spill or the bike falling over.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:

6/10

80g pair

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

6/10

Rate the product for value:

6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Despite relatively short run times, they're actually quite good at providing additional safety-especially along unlit rural roads and offer a secure, universal fit in the handlebar ends. However, a slither of Vaseline is prudent given they're not waterproof and while fairly robust, the present design is vulnerable to damage-especially fitted to flat bars.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Large surface area, easy to use switches-a great safety aid for tag-alongs, especially when emerging from junctions.

Miscellaneous

Tools and workshop

Here's how we roll at road.cc: every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: